Next Kraftwerke

What Is Next Kraftwerke?

Next Kraftwerke is a digital energy company that operates one of the largest Virtual Power Plants in Europe. It falls under the category of Energy Management and VPP solutions. The platform serves as an aggregator, connecting thousands of medium and small-scale energy units—such as solar parks, wind farms, and industrial batteries—into a unified network called the Next Pool.

The platform works by using a proprietary central control system to monitor and dispatch these interconnected units in real time. This allows the company to participate in ancillary services markets, such as balancing energy, and trade electricity on major European exchanges like EPEX Spot. Currently, Next Kraftwerke networks over 14,000 units with an aggregated capacity of more than 12.0 GW, making it a major participant in the European energy transition. In 2021, the company became part of Shell’s Renewables & Energy Solutions division, further solidifying its market position.

Features

• Virtual Power Plant (Next Pool): Networks thousands of decentralized power generators and consumers into a single controllable entity to provide grid stability and trade on power exchanges.
• Power Trading and Market Access: Provides asset owners with direct access to short-term and long-term energy markets, including day-ahead, intraday, and over-the-counter (OTC) trading, ensuring energy is sold at the best possible price.
• Balancing Energy Provision: Aggregates flexible assets to provide ancillary services such as FCR, aFRR, and mFRR to Transmission System Operators (TSOs), generating additional revenue by helping maintain grid frequency.
• NEXTRA Trading Platform: A specialized Software-as-a-Service solution that allows utilities and large-scale producers to manage their own portfolios, trade excess quantities, and perform advanced analytics.
• NEMOCS VPP Software: Provides the technical infrastructure for third parties to build their own Virtual Power Plants, offering tools for remote control, forecasting, and automated dispatch.
• Real-Time Monitoring and Forecasting: Uses live feed-in data and meteorological analyses to provide accurate power production forecasts, which are essential for minimizing balancing risks and optimizing trading strategies.
• Intelligent Dispatch: Automatically schedules the operation of controllable assets, such as biogas plants or battery storage, based on current market prices and grid requirements.

Next Kraftwerke Pricing

Next Kraftwerke typically operates on a service-based and volume-based pricing model rather than a flat monthly fee for its core VPP services.

• Free Trial and Demo: While there is no free version of the full trading platform, the company offers webinars and expert consultations to demonstrate the software’s capabilities.
• Service Fees: For asset owners joining the Next Pool, the service fee is generally based on the volume of electricity traded and the specific balancing services provided.
• Market Access: The company assumes balancing risks for its partners and does not typically charge separate trading or market access fees for participants in the Next Pool.
• Software Licensing for NEXTRA and NEMOCS: Pricing for the standalone VPP software and trading platforms is not publicly listed. The company provides custom quotes based on the number of units and the specific functional requirements of the utility or aggregator.
• Usage-Based Fees: Fees can be influenced by the technology type and the level of remote-control hardware required for integration.

Integrations

Next Kraftwerke uses an open technical approach to ensure diverse energy assets can be networked effectively.

• Hardware Integrations: Connects with various decentralized controllers and gateways, including the Next Box used in solar, wind, and biogas plants.
• Protocol Support: Supports standard industrial communication protocols such as IEC 60870-5-104 and Modbus for secure data transmission.
• Energy Exchange Integrations: Deeply integrated with major European power exchanges, including EPEX Spot and EXAA.
• TSO Interfaces: Maintains direct technical connections with Transmission System Operators across multiple European countries for the delivery of ancillary services.
• API and Webhooks: The NEMOCS and NEXTRA platforms offer APIs that allow utilities to integrate VPP data into their existing billing and ERP systems.

How to Set Up Next Kraftwerke

1. Consult with a Next Kraftwerke specialist to assess your energy asset’s technical specifications and flexibility potential.
2. Undergo a technical audit to determine the necessary communication hardware, such as the Next Box, for remote control.
3. Install the gateway hardware on-site and establish a secure data connection to the central control system.
4. Complete the prequalification process required by Transmission System Operators for the specific balancing services you intend to provide.
5. Register on the relevant trading platform, such as NEXTRA, or sign the service agreement to join the Next Pool.
6. Begin automated operation, allowing the platform to dispatch your asset based on real-time market signals.

How to Use Next Kraftwerke

The daily workflow for a user involves monitoring the performance of their energy assets through a digital dashboard. Asset owners can view live feed-in data, historical production records, and the status of their participation in the balancing market.

For utility managers using the NEXTRA platform, the workflow includes reviewing power forecasts for the next 24 to 48 hours and making informed trading decisions on the day-ahead or intraday markets. If an asset is controllable, the system handles automated dispatch, but users can check the schedules to ensure they align with local site requirements. The platform also automates the settlement process, providing clear reports on the revenues generated from electricity sales and grid services.

What You Can Manage with Next Kraftwerke

• Energy Portfolios: Aggregate and oversee thousands of decentralized units from a single interface.
• Power Schedules: Automate the ramping up or down of generators based on electricity price fluctuations.
• Grid Services: Manage the delivery of frequency containment and restoration reserves to TSOs.
• Market Trading: Execute trades on major European energy exchanges to optimize the sale of renewable power.
• Production Forecasts: Generate high-precision analytics for solar and wind feed-in based on meteorological data.
• Asset Health: Monitor the connectivity and operational status of remote energy units in real time.